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Current Status:

Major threats to the species in Oklahoma are nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds and habitat loss. Nest predation by other birds, snakes, and mammals contributes to the low reproductive success. Habitat fragmentation reduces the possibilities for dispersal as occupied areas become unsuitable. Other threats are posed by human disturbance and pesticide use in some areas.

Achievements:

The habitats of all known Oklahoma populations are protected because of their location on Federal lands (Fort Sill and Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge) and on private land protected by voluntary agreements with The Nature Conservancy. Cowbird control has been initiated at all known breeding areas. Management plans are being developed for the vireo on Federal lands. Additional territories have been found on private lands as a result of increased surveys. Informal section 7 consultations have been completed for a number of Federal activities, including a highway reconstruction project, and no adverse impacts to vireos were found. The vireo population at the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge (about 250 adults in 1991) has shown growth.

Current Recovery Needs:

Actions necessary to recover the species include cowbird control, continued monitoring of vireo populations, and habitat restoration and management. Research needs include examining the biology/ecology of vireos on their wintering grounds, determining the effects of nest predators on reproductive success, and defining habitat requirements.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation received $4,000 in FY 1991 and $6,000 in FY 1992 to survey blackcapped vireo breeding sites in Oklahoma, provide limited control of cowbird nest parasitism, and assess black-capped vireo production and recruitment in Oklahoma.

Partnerships

Department of the Army: The Army has maintained and increased usable vireo breeding habitat at Fort Sill, which has resulted in increases in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge population. The vireo population at Fort Sill is being monitored; brown-headed cowbird trapping was initiated in 1992. A management plan for Fort Sill has been drafted and is under review.

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation: The Department has provided funds to The Nature Conservancy for vireo population monitoring and brown-headed cowbird control on private lands in Blaine County.

The Nature Conservancy: The Conservancy has encouraged private landowners to participate in vireo recovery activities, resulting in an increase of adult vireos on private lands from 12 in 1990 to 28 in 1992. It has also monitored vireo populations, surveyed for additional vireos, and assisted in cowbird control and vireo habitat management.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 9/30/91.